I like the little cans of Ocean brand Snack 'n' Lunch that I find at Wal-Mart. I buy the smoked tuna, but the other flavours are nice too. They're pretty inexpensive, however I can't remember the price offhand. Gold Seal (Goldenseal?) also has a smoked tuna in olive oil, though I'm having trouble finding it since my local Price Chopper stopped carrying it. It may still be at Metro, but too expensive for what it is, imo.

I agree that ventresca tuna is the best. I do enjoy it from time to time, but it is a little pricy for tuna salad. Lately I have been using the Spanish or Italien brands i find at Fiesta Farms. I just wanted to knwo if any of the chowhounders found anything exceptional that is inexpencive.

I have seen canned tuna at my local Portugese fish store - anyone ever try it?

Highland Farms frequently has the canned italian, packed in olive oil, $3 for 3 tins. I forget the brand, it's not Calippo or Rio Mare. I have some in my pantry, but haven't tried it yet. I usually buy the stuff (calippo brand) to toss into pasta with parsley, garlic and chilis. It's great.

Otherwise, I enjoy the clover leaf that is flavoured either in peanut sauce or chilis or olive oil. They are smaller tins. No Frills occasionally has them for 99c a pop, and I load up.

I live in Windsor and all of the small Italian grocery stores around here carry it. You might want to call Grande Cheese and see if the closest one to you carries it and for how much. You might find it at Bruno's or Pusateri's, but you'll pay a premium for shopping there.

Try Highland Farms if you have one nearby. The one at Kennedy and Ellesmere has a couple of different brands of Italian olive oil-packed tuna that I'll eat out of the can with a fork anytime I need a quick protein fix. Reasonably priced, and hits that sweet spot between darned-good-tuna-salad and too-good-for-tuna-salad.